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Baker recalls pitchers' attitudes of hitters

Baker recalls pitchers' attitudes of hitters

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CINCINNATI -- While talking about Saturday's MLB Beacon Awards luncheon, Reds manager Dusty Baker mentioned he was friends with former Giants pitcher Randy Moffitt -- the brother of tennis great and Beacon honoree Billie Jean King. Baker was a player with the Dodgers and Braves during that time and said rare was the time an opposing team's pitcher would befriend a hitter.

"Hitters and pitchers didn't hang out together from opposing teams. They didn't want to like you in case they had to hit you," Baker said.

Baker remembered friend and Hall of Famer Hank Aaron was close to two pitchers from the opposition -- Bob Gibson and Jerry Koosman.

"Bob Gibson hit John Milner that night, right in the back," Baker recalled. "Hank asked him why he hit Milner. He said he heard he could hit. This was a Spring Training game. I was real quiet because my batting average was higher than Milner's. I was like, 'What did you hear about me?'"